Significant changes have shaped the security industry during the last decade, and more exciting innovations should be expected in the 2020s. Emerging technologies and applications – such as multidimensional perception, UHD, low light imaging, artificial intelligence, and cloud technology – open new possibilities for the industry.

At the same time, millions of cameras and other security devices are being connected into networks, making the security industry a very important part of the future IoT world.

For security cameras, image capturing simulates our sense of sight, extending the power of the human eye. But what if security cameras could use other kinds of ‘senses’, like hearing, smelling, or even detections that are beyond visual range, to identify and respond to incidents? For example, video cameras integrated with centimetre and millimetre wave radars are becoming popular in object detection. With deep integration of radar and video, a multidimensional camera extends perception beyond visual range to improve the detection of objects and movement tracking – up to a distance of 100 meters and in any weather.

Another approach is the integrated automobile horn-detection camera. Equipped with sonar arrays, this camera can precisely detect and locate the source of a vehicle’s horn, while identifying the vehicle and generating photos and videos of the event as evidence.

More ‘senses’, like smoke detection, heat detection, or even pressure detection, can be embedded in cameras to precisely monitor and report events or incidents.

Artificial intelligence applications have been slowly emerging in the security industry for many years. But most AIpowered security cameras can only run a single algorithm because of the limitation of computing power, which means they can incorporate only one intelligent function at a time, such as counting people or cars.

The computing power of security cameras is being enhanced greatly with the increased performance of AI chips. Multi-intelligence technology will be the trend for the next generation of AIempowered cameras as several intelligent tasks will be accomplished by one camera.

In many cities you can see ten or more cameras installed at intersections, for example, to detect traffic flow, to identify violations, to detect vehicle types and license plate numbers, protect sidewalks, and so on. But now, with multi-intelligence cameras, two or three cameras will be enough. Since fewer cameras will be equipped for one application scenario, the cost of equipment, installation, and maintenance and management will all be reduced.

Merely reactive CCTV systems will no longer meet the demands of security operations teams as they are often looking for new opportunities to enhance their operational efficiency. Many customers are now asking for proactive and comprehensive security systems that combine CCTV monitoring, alarm systems, access control, and even fire protection.

With the development of AI technology, CCTV systems are becoming more automated by analysing live and recorded video to detect, classify, and track predefined objects. These processes can be especially effective in proactively identifying events as they happen and extracting information instantly from recorded video.

Meanwhile, proactive and intelligent video analysis enables the deployment of comprehensive security systems involving the integration of CCTV and nonCCTV systems. When a camera detects an incident, a link can trigger the alarm system automatically, notifying security personnel to check the surveillance camera live feed. Conversely, when alarm, access control or fire protection systems report an incident, the CCTV system will be activated to verify what actually happened.

People want to see more and see with more clarity. Pursuing ever higher image resolution has thus been a key driving force in the development of security industry technology. After the HD era, the Ultra High Definition (UHD) era will be the natural next step.

UHD used to mean ‘expensive’, but now UHD is benefiting from improvements in transmission and encoding technologies. It is becoming increasingly cost-effective for large-scale use in the security industry, from entry level to top shelf.

With greater bandwidth and lower latency transmission technology, the smooth transmission of UHD images is becoming possible, and widespread adoption of 4K and 8K resolution cameras will meet real opportunities.

Furthermore, continuously optimised encoding technology – which is vastly decreasing the bitrate of video – is another stimulus for UHD applications in the security industry. As the bitrate of recorded footage is greatly reduced, bandwidth and storage costs are reduced as well.

Most security incidents occur at night, but images and footage from conventional security cameras may easily lose colour and critical details in ultra-low light environments. Low light imaging technologies have become increasingly popular in the security industry, enhancing the visibility of objects at any time and in any condition.

Another important innovation is thermal imaging, which can detect the heat information of any object with a temperature above absolute zero. Taking advantage of heat zone imaging, thermal imaging technology allows cameras to ‘see’ in low-visibility conditions, such as fog, smog, rain, and snow – even at night. And thermal cameras have huge potential in various applications, like perimeter defence, fire detection and temperature measurement.

More security devices, including cameras, are being connected over the Internet, making them parts of the IoT world, and thus ‘moving to the cloud’ has become a focus for the security industry – especially for video surveillance. Why are people enthusiastic about the cloud? It’s because cloud services can bring vast benefits in efficiency, flexibility, costeffectiveness, and security.

Video surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) has been trending in the security industry as an ideal choice for SMEs looking to move their videobased security systems to the cloud. For enterprises running chain stores, for example, moving video surveillance services to the cloud means they can quickly and economically centralise their security operations and remotely check the status of their stores.

Since no on-site server installation and system configuration is needed, it can be more convenient than traditional video surveillance solutions. Users can distribute costs over a contract term and pay for exactly and only the services that are used.

Security system integrators are also getting to grips with VSaaS as it presents opportunities to strengthen their business models. With VSaaS, integrators are able to provide services for their clients using the cloud – such as system checks and remote maintenance.

With millions of security devices becoming part of IoT, security systems are evolving from being single and isolated to open and connected. People are getting more and more concerned about the security of their data and privacy, and accordingly have set higher expectations on the security industry in relation to cybersecurity.

To help minimise the risk of security breaches, a multi-layered approach – including network, application, and device layering – that addresses a full range of cybersecurity threats concurrently will be demanded by security organisations and IT departments. Security manufacturers will need to demonstrate the security of their products throughout the whole lifecycle.

Just as 2020 is the beginning of a new decade, we expect to see a new decade of innovation in technologies and applications. Along with the security industry trends mentioned above, other trends such as 5G, big data, smart enterprise operations, and stricter data protection regulations like the EU’s GDPR, might also greatly affect the industry in the 2020s.

To find out more, or to discover Hikvision solutions that are delivering the future of security and surveillance today, please visit www.hikvision.com.